A heartbroken woman has spoken about her 'amazing' partner - who had 'such a bright future ahead' - after he was tragically found dead in a river in Rochdale.
Dad-of-six Kevin Downes, 36, was pulled out of the River Roch last Wednesday morning (June 28). Emergency services were called out to the scene, beside St Mary's Gate, at around 6.30am following reports of a body in the water. It is understood police investigations into his death are ongoing.
The roofer, from Rochdale but who lived in Bacup, was pronounced dead at the scene. His devastated partner Kelly Stansfield, who he had just bought a house with, has now paid heartfelt tribute to him and emotionally reflected on the final text he sent her just a day before the tragedy.
Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features.
"My family absolutely adored him," she said. "We had just bought a new house and had so many things to look forward to. He was one of the most amazing people who came into my life.
"He made me laugh since day one. He was the kindest, most compassionate person you could meet. He gave me so much confidence.
"We were so happy. It is so tragic that this has happened, but I want his memory to live on."
Kelly, 45, lived with Kevin and the loved-up pair had just bought a new home together in Padiham, Lancashire. Fondly recalling the story of the moment the pair met, she said: "It was a bank holiday weekend. We met at the Co-op in Haslingden.
"Kev had got quite lively and I was sober, just having a laugh with him. I was looking for my gutters to be done on my house, and he was a roofer.
"He said 'do you want my number for your gutters, or my number number' and then wrote it on the back of a lottery ticket. He told me it was the best winning lottery ticket he ever had.
"My parents thought it was hilarious. My mum said only I could go to the shop and come back with a boyfriend. We hadn't ever spent a day apart since."
Despite the heartache, Kelly said she wants to continue with the sale of the house they had bought together in Padiham with their dog Nelly. It was going to be their 'little adventure'.
She confessed that although Kevin had not proposed, he had saved up cash, bought a ring and also asked for her dad's blessing to marry her.
The dad-of-six had texted Kelly shortly after 4pm on Tuesday (June 27) - the day before he was found dead in the water. He tried ringing her later that evening, at around 6pm, but she missed the call.
"I last saw him Tuesday at about 11.30am. He had been in touch with me throughout the day. 4.15pm was the last message I got from him. He told me he loved me and to stay beautiful.
"He tried calling at 6pm and I missed it and I tried again throughout the night. It wasn't like him at all. I went to bed that night and I knew something wasn't right.
"Kevin wasn't in a bad place. Over the years he had been, but he was so happy and we had so much to look forward to," Kelly added. "He was such a positive person who had such a bright future ahead of him.
"He had so much to look forward too so it is just tragic. We are all wondering what has happened. I just want the people who are close to him to how happy and positive he was."
